Medieval Mysteries

By Karen Ralls

(Ibis Press 2014)

This is, first and foremost, a beautifully produced book, lavishly and appropriately illustrated in colour. The child in each of us looks at the pictures first, of course, flicking through to get a taste of what is in store, as if let loose in a sweet shop.

But don’t be fooled by the plethora of photographs and drawings; this is no lightweight glossary of the subjects that have been covered and re-covered so many times… this is a serious and scholarly work in all its detail.

The author has brought together twelve of the perennial subjects of the High Medieval period that fascinate and intrigue so many of us. From the Black Madonnas to the Knights Templar, from the Cathars to the Magdalene, Dr Ralls brings both her professional expertise and her personal passion to her work, creating an eminently readable book for both serious student and curious reader alike.

Image:Rosslyn Chapel website

It is not a reference book… yet it is full of information and leaves a trail of references to follow. It is not a travelogue, yet descriptive writing takes you on a journey through time and landscape. It is not fiction, but it is full of the high romance of the Troubadours. What it is, is something that will appeal to anyone with an interest in the period, or simply in the mysteries it has generated.

You could sit down for a serious session of reading, or dip in and out at leisure… either way, the book will undoubtedly get your attention.

Each of the twelve main sections of the book deals with one particular mystery. Chapter Ten, for example, looks at Rosslyn Chapel and its environs with an unmatched intimacy. Dr Ralls knows the Chapel well and tells the story of the place, its people, its legends and landscapes with an insider’s eye. We learn of the original plans for the cruciform building, as well as the story of the Apprentice Pillar; we delve into Freemasonry and the Rosslyn-Hay manuscript, passing via the Rosicrucians to the ‘treasure’ of Rosslyn.

The Apprentice Pillar,Image: Rosslyn Chapel website

Throughout, the author’s own curious mind traces a personal journey of enquiry and discovery; always academically sound, frequently spiritual, sometimes lyrical, you can see how deeply some of the places, stories and concepts touch the writer at a personal level, and it is this that sets the book apart from many drier works.

The book is fully indexed and comes with appendices that would be worth the purchase price on their own… a comprehensive set of notes and an incredibly detailed bibliography to point the reader towards further information on their preferred subjects.

Highly recommended!

About the Author:

Dr Karen Ralls, FSA Scot., medieval historian, obtained her PhD from the University of Edinburgh, followed by six years as Postdoctoral Fellow and Sr Lecturer (Univ. of Edinburgh) and Deputy Director and Curator of the Rosslyn Chapel Museum Art exhibition (Scotland) before relocating to Oxford, England, where she continues with specialised research.

Noted for groundbreaking 12th-14th c. medieval period research in particular, Karen also completed a specialist Medieval and Renaissance Art History course at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum (London),and serves as a lecturer, conference speaker, historical sites / travel guide, and workshop/retreat presenter for a variety of organisations, travel/tour groups, universities, and charities. Her general/non-academic books include Medieval Mysteries: History, Places and Symbolism (Ibis Press /RedWheelWeiser/USA); The Templars and the Grail(Quest Books); The Knights Templar Encyclopedia (Career Press); Music and the Celtic Otherworld (Edinburgh Univ Press & Palgrave Macmillan, USA), Beyond Gateways: Music and the Otherworld (forthcoming 2015); and others. She has also served as professional Historical Consultant and Advisor for film / TV projects (Discovery, The History Channel, etc), and for travel, charity, and other heritage-related media projects (UK/US/EU).

A musician (flute and wire-strung Celtic harp player), Karen is also a lover of hillwalking, nature walks, and stargazing, and is interested in further exploring the links between history, symbols, folklore, and the landscape today. She has a Facebook Author page and the website is www.ancientquest.com

‘Sharing the Wisdom of the past…a gateway to the future’.

(Biography from Karen’s Amazon Author page)